Tilt-up wall construction



"Ap 1,1970- J. c. JAY ETAL; H 1 1M433 WALL CONSTRUCTION.

E H mm 1 O Y I s a mA M Y e EIUPS E h V N. .m sum I m m? m S JLM 3 G Filed Dec. 4, 1967 J. C. JAY ETAL TILT-UP WALL CONSTRUCTION April 21, 1970 5 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR3 JAMES c. JAY GLENN w. POWNDER 7 BY RALPH 0; SMITH Filed Dec. 4, 1967 ATTORNEYS Q April 21, 1970 J. c. JAY ETAL 7,

TILT-UP WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 4, 196 s Sheets-Sheet s v mezz aa A 82" 8l-9 f o-8l-o 80 I 83- FIG 1O l i FIG-8 ENTORS JAMES AY GLE W. POWNDER BY RAL D.- SMITH ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,507,084 TILT-UP WALL CONSTRUCTION James C. Jay, Alameda, Glenn W. Pownder, Los Altos,

and Ralph C. Smith, Huntington Beach, Calif., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Fruehauf Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 4, 1967, Ser. No. 687,834 Int. Cl. E04c 2/ 04; E04b 2/00; E04g 21/14 US. Cl. 52-601 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for erecting building walls utilizing prefabricated wall sections, which wall sections comprise poured and cured panels integrally attached to preformed columns. The wall sections are formed in typically horizontal panel molds. These molds have placed adjacent thereto preformed column members. The' column members have attached embedding members protruding therefrom into the mold, which embedding members attach to the panel as subsequently poured and cured interior of the mold. When poured and cured, the wall sections are tilted, raised on otherwise moved to the erected disposition on the building foundation. In such disposition the wall sections are capable of being attached to the building foundation, accommodating beams of the finished building structure, and being permanently attached to other adjoining wall sections.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for prefabricating and erecting building walls and more specifically illustrates the fabrication and use of prefabricated Wall sections formed from preformed columns integrally attached to poured and cured panels.

Prefabricated panels have been used in erecting building walls in the past. Typically such panels have comprised concrete poured and cured in horizontal molds and thereafter tilted upwardly along the bottom edge about the building foundation to the erected disposition. The panels have then been braced in the erected disposition and thereafter columns of the building have been fabricated by building forms about the erected panels into which the columns are poured and cured. When cured, the columns in cooperation with the panels form a unitary wall structure.

Unfortunately, the past practices of forming the building columns after the panels have been tilted to the erected position has consumed considerable time and effort. Such time and effort has included holding or bracing the prefabricated panels in the erected position, building column forms about the erected panels, pouring and curing the concrete in such forms to allow formed columns to obtain the requisite vertical load bearing strength, and stripping the erected wall structure of the bracing and forms necessary to maintain the panels and poured columns upright.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a wall section, fabricated before erection, incorporating a poured and cured panel integrally attached to a column. A preformed column member is placed adjacent one of the side edges of a form or mold for forming the panel. The column has attached thereto embedding members, which members protrude into the interior of the form. These embedding members integrally fasten the column to the panel portion of the wall section when the panel section is poured and cured, typically at the building site. Thereafter, the cured panel with its integrally attached column can be tilted, raised or moved to its erected disposition. As erected, the wall section is capable of accepting immediate vertical loading without requiring independent fabrication of the column members.

The disclosed prefabricated wall sections have the additional advantage of simplifying field bracing to maintain such wall sections in the erected position. The columns are fabricated with preformed plates at the top and bottom sections. These plates can be attached to the Wall footings, previously erected overhead members, or both to maintain the columns in the erected position without substantial field bracing.

The disclosed wall sections can be erected into opposing self-supporting dispositions by the utilization of a beam pocket formed in the integrally attached column members. Typically, the preformed columns of each wall section have configured therein beam pockets. These beam pockets accommodate the end section of horizontal ceiling or roof beams interconnecting the opposing wall sections in the finished building structure. When such opposing wall sections are erected, they can be immediately interconnected by the beams to form a unitary self-supporting structure independent of the remaining building components.

The Wall sections incorporating the present invention have their adjoining side edges configured for attachment to one another. Typically, each wall section is prefabricated with a column forming one of the side edges thereof. Attached to such column and extending from an exposed side thereof is a connecting member. Complementing this connecting member, the side edge of the wall section opposite the column has connecting members formed therein. When two of such wall sections are erected in an adjoining position with their respective connecting members juxtaposed; the wall sections can be conjoined by in terconnecting members to form a unitary bond between adjacent wall sections.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Wall section form or mold having a preformed column as one of the side edges thereof;

FIG. 2 is a section along lines 22 of FIG. 1 illustrating the details of a poured form adjacent both of the respective side edges;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two erected and conjoined wall sections fastened together, with one wall section accommodating a beam through a beam pocket configured in its integrally attached column;

FIG. 4 is a section of FIG. 3 taken along lines 44 specifically illustrating the attachment of the beam to the beam pocket;

FIG. 5 is a section of the beam and beam pocket taken along lines 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a section of a pilaster type column integrally attached to a panel;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation section of a column having a shallow beam pocket occupying only a small fraction of the total column cross-sectional thickness;

FIG. 8. is a side elevation section of a beam pocket which pocket is shown accommodating the end of beams that form a portion of a roof truss;

FIG. 9 is a section along lines 99 of FIG. 3 illustrating the attached connecting members on each of two adjoining wall sections conjoined by a welded interconnecting member; and,

FIG. 10 is a section similar to FIG. 9 and illustrating the conjoinder of adjacent wall sections utilizing a bolted interconnecting member.

With respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, the formation of a prefabricated wall section according to the present invention is illustrated. The wall section comprises column A and integrally attached panel B which panel and column are interconnected by embedding members C.

Prefabrication of the wall section is accomplished by forming panel B in a horizontal disposition interior of a mold or form D. One side of form D is defined by preformed column A. Embedding members C, attached to and protruding from the column, extend interiorly of the form D. When concrete is poured and cured interior of the mold, these embedding members integrally attach column A to formed panel B.

After panel B is poured and cured interiorly of form D, the prefabricated wall section is typically tilted or raised to the erected position as illustrated in FIG. 3. [n such erected position column A can, be fastened to previously constructed foundation G so as to maintain the wall section in the erected disposition. Additionally, column A can be formed with a beam pocket F which beam pocket can immediately accommodate a beam H for forming unitary and self-supporting structure between opposing wall sections. Furthermore, connecting members E of two erected panels may be interconnected so as to form a unitary wall structure out of adjoined wall sections.

The formation of a wall section will hereinafter be illustrated in detail by first describing column A and thereafter setting forth the configuration of form D, which form is the mold for panel B.

Column A comprises a preformed column structure extending the height of the completed wall section and aaving the desired vertical load bearing characteristics required for the completed building structure.

Regarding such construction characteristics, column A frequently diifers radically in construction from its adjoined panel B, which panel comprises ordinary poured and cured concrete. Typically, such columns require elaborate techniques of fabrication, which techniques :annot practically be practiced on site of the building ilfllClZUlC being erected. Accordingly, the wall section :onstruction of this invention, by utilizing preformed :olumn construction, permits sophisticated column fabication techniques to occur before the columns A are :ransported to the job site.

The particular column construction illustrated in the ittached drawings is a fire retarded column having an Inner column shell 10, which shell extends the entire length of the column and can be constructed according :o numerous known cross-sectional configurations. As llustrated herein, shell is hollow and rectangular in :ross-section and formed from mild structural steel.

About the periphery of shell 10 is an outer casing 11 ;imilarly formed of structural steel. Between the inside turface of the outer shell and the outside surface of the nner shell there is filler material 12. Filler material 12 .ypically comprises insulation, which insulation is ca- Jable of preserving the vertical load bearing characterics of inner shell 10 during the extreme temperatures :xperienced during fire. While the particular column :ection utilized with wall sections of the present discloslre is illustrated as fire-retardant, it is understood that he construction of the column may be altered to suit the :onstruction characteristics desired in the completed :tuucture.

Outer casing 11 defines the exterior surface of column k, which surface comprises opposite column edges 14 [Rd 15 interconnected by column sides 16 and 17.

Column A, regardless of its interior construction, has tttached thereto a connecting member E. Connecting nember E comprises a structural steel attachment bar .9 embedded in column edge 14. As will hereinafter ecome apparent bar 19 defines the surface by which he wall section is attached to other members of the abricated building, such as adjoining wall sections.

Column A also has attached thereto embedding memvers C. These members are rigidly attached to the column nd protrude therefrom at column edge 15 into mold Embedding members C are here shown comprising a 4 I structural steel reinforcing rods 21. Rods 21 are illustrated attached to the inward or non-exposed side of bar 19 interior of the section of column A. As attached to bar 19, rods 21 penetrate medially through the entire section of column A and extend outwardly of the column from column edge 15. As protruding from edge 15, rods 21 extend a sufiicient distance from the column to provide embedding surfaces for attachment to the concrete of panel B.

Embedding members C are here shown extending the entire length of form D. As extending these members not only integrally attach column A to panel B, but additionally reinforce the concrete of panel B.

Adjoining panel B, column edge 15 has configured therein a panel keyway 23, which panel keyway forms an indentation in edge 15 of the column. Entry of concrete into this indentation forms a key that, in cooperation with embedding members C, permits column A to firmly attach to the panel B along column edge 15.

Keyway 23 is defined by a bottom step 24 configured in filler material 12 of the column. Diverging from this step 24 on either side thereof are walls 25 that interconnect the bottom step 24 with the column edge 15. Outer casing is cut away in edge 15 in the vicinity of keyway 23 to afford access to the keyway. As formed, panel keyway 23 runs longitudinally the length of column A terminating at either end thereof and in the vicinity of beam pocket F.

At the top and bottom ends of column A there are overhead attachment plate '27 and foundation attachment plate 28 respectively which plates are rigidly affixed to inner core 10 of column A. These attachment plates 27 and 28 provide surfaces whereby the column can be fastened to the completed building structure, thus effecting fastening of the wall section in the erected disposition. To readily accommodate such fastening, plates 27 and 28 have configured therein attachment apertures 30, which apertures enable immediate anchoring of the column A by accommodating bolts interior thereof. In order to expedite pouring panel B on a flat surface, plates 27 and 28 are fastened adjacent column side 17 so as to be above the plane defined by column side (see FIG. 2).

Column A defines therein a beam pocket P, which beam pocket defines a rectangular indentation formed interior of column A. As will appear hereinafter, beam pocket F may comprise any of numerous configurations, which configurations enable the prefabricated wall section to accommodate beams immediately after being rotated or moved to the erected position.

Form D is shaped interiorly thereof to conform to the desired outside dimension of the subsequently poured and cured panel. This form has members, each of Which molds a particular dimension of the completed panel B. The form has a bottom wall 31 which wall molds the panel side 40. Form D also has a wall 32 that encloses one side of the completed panel and molds the dimension of panel bottom 39. Similarly a wall 33 encloses an opposing side and forms the surface of panel top 38. At the far end of the mold D parallel to and removed from column A, a wall 34 molds exposed panel .edge 37. Similarly the configuration of column A along column edge 14 completes the form and shapes panel edge 36 adjoining column A. Panel side 41, however, faces upwardly of form D and is shown having no mold member attached thereto. This surface is the exposed portion of the panel extending upwardly from mold D and is dimensioned in accordance with standard concrete finishing techniques to form the desired surface of the completed Wall section.

Panel edge 37 as disposed opposite to column A has connecting members E for interconnecting panel B with adjoining panels or other members of the building structure. To embed such connecting members E in the finished panel, fo-rm wall 34 has attached thereto a plurality of pocket blocks 45 in preselected spatial relation.

As affixed, the blocks extend at their upward surface outwardly along that plane which is to define panel side 41 and protrude interior of form D. Attached to such pocket blocks and supported interiorly of the form D, there are connecting plates 46 and attached embedding members 47. Plate 46 has a surface corresponding to the downwardly facing surface of block 45, which surface lies against the block 45 so as to be exposed when the form including the blocks are removed. This plate 46 is em bedded interior of panel B by rebar section that constitutes embedding member 47, which section is fastened to the reverse side of plate 46 and embeds such plate within the concrete of subsequently poured and cured panel. During the pouring and curing process, blocks 45 displace pockets 85 (illustrated in FIG. 3) within panel side 41 so as to expose the surface of plates 46 to form connecting members E.

It may be desired to provide panel edge 37 with calking when the panel is erected adjacent to other building members. Accordingly, form Wall 34 has attached thereto an elongate rib 48 which displaces concrete to define a calking groove 49 along the total length of edge 37. As will hereinafter become apparent, this groove will accommodate calking materials therein so as to provide insulation along the joinder of edge 37 to other members of the erected building. Moreover, placement of suitable calking compound in groove 49 forms an expansion joint that accommodates any change in a wall section length due to varying degrees of ambient temperatures.

It has been found that the corners of panel edge 36 and 37 in adjoining panel sides 40 and 41 define areas in the finished panel B where chipping and flaking of the concrete readily occur. Such corners are areas wherein the poured and cured concrete of panel B is relatively weak. Furthermore, the concrete at these junctures is subjected to relatively high stresses due to the attachment of the panel B to the column A along panel edge 36- and the adjoining of the completed wall section to other building members along panel edge 37. Accordingly, panel B is fabricated interior of mold D with spacing members 44 so as to form chambered edges 45' at these junctures thereby preventing such unsightly flaking or chipping of the concrete panel.

Spacing members 44 are placed in form D so as to occupy each of the corners between the panel sides and panel edges. These spacing members comprise typically wood form members running the length of the panel edges between panel top form 33 and panel bottom form 32. Members 44 serve to displace the poured concrete away from these corner junctures forming chambered edges 45' between panel sides and panel edges 36 and 37.

Form D with adjoined column A is illustrated in FIG. I placed in proximity to a foundation *6. Foundation G comprises a base slab 50 with a sill plate 51 placed thereon. Sill plate 51 defines a surface about which the formed wall section may be rotated and further is the element of the finished building upon which the erected wall section stands. This plate is typically embedded interior of slab 50 by having reinforcing members (not shown) protruding from the bottom portion thereof interior of the slab. Protruding upwardly from the sill plate are configured bolts 53. These bolts are placed in spatial relation so as to fit interiorly of attachment apertures 30 of foundation attachment plate 28 when the wall section is raised or tilted to the erected disposition.

Regarding the proximity of mold D and column A to foundation G, the fabricated wall section typically comprises an extremely bulky and heavy member. While it is convenient to form panel B in a horizontal attitude, lifting of the entire mass of the completed wall section is often not possible or practical. Accordingly, the wall section is often formed adjacent to foundations so that erection of the wall can be accomplished by merely rotating or tilting the formed wall section about the building footing or foundation. When the wall section is rotated or tilted about foundation G, only a portion of the total weight of wall section need be supported in rotating the wall section to its erected disposition.

When form D with adjoined column A is fabricated and placed adjacent foundation G, the concrete of panel A is poured and cured interior of the form. When cured, concrete panel B integrally adjoins itself to column A and furthermore takes on an outside dimension conforming to the inside dimensions of form D. During the curing process the embedding members C and connecting members E along panel edge 37 integrally attach to the curing concrete so as to become a permanent and inseparable part of the finished wall section.

Once the curing of the concrete of panel A has occurred, form D is stripped from the periphery of panel A. Thereafter the wall section is rotated or otherwise moved to its erected disposition on foundation G, which erected disposition is specifically illustrated in FIG. 3.

The fabricated wall section must be braced so as to remain erect. Such bracing can be assisted by bolting foundation attachment to foundation G. Plate 28 has bolt apertures 30 defined therein, which bolt apertures are spaced in anticipation of the spatial relation between mating bolts 53 on foundation G. As the wall section is erected, foundation attachment plate 28 rotates over the top of attachment bolts 53 at apertures 30. Thereafter the plate is fastened to foundation G by nuts 54. As bolted to foundation G, plate 28 effects a firm fastening of the wall section to the foundation, which firm fastening can be used to maintain the section in the erected position.

As is apparent, FIG. 3 illustrates only the bolting of foundation attachment plate 28 to foundation G. Similarly, overhead attachment plate 27 can also be affixed to previously erected building members. When both plates 27 and 28 are aflixed, the erected wall section will be rigidly maintained in the erected position without the necessity of substantial field bracing to maintain the wall section in the erected disposition.

Once the wall section is fastened in the erected position, it may be desired to interconnect the column A with other erected members of the building structure by means of a beam H. To accommodate such an interconnecting beam, it will be remembered that column A has beam pocket F configured therein.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, column A of an erected wall section is illustrated having a beam pocket F with a beam H affixed thereto. Beam H is here shown comprising a wooden member, which member is supported at the end not shown on another member of the erected building and is shown resting interior of column A in beam pocket F.

Regarding the construction of beam pocket F, it will be remembered that column A has a fire resistant core construction 55 which construction comprises an inner core 10, an outer casing 11 with a layer of insulation 12 therebetween. Such core construction is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 as extending vertically upward from the foundation attachment plate to the section of column A immediately below beam pocket F. At this juncture, inner core 10 of column A ceases while outer casing 11 continues upward terminating at overhead attachment plate 27. Interior of outer casing 11 there is placed a beam pocket plate 56. Pocket plate 56 lies immediately over inner core 10 and is bounded on the periphery thereof by outer casing 11. This pocket plate forms the surface upon which beam H rests.

Outer casing 11 and insulation 12 have configured therein an aperture 57, which aperture is slightly larger than the end section of beam H. Aperture 57 enables the end sections of beam H to be fitted interior of column A on pocket plate 56.

Extending angularly upward from beam pocket plate 56 and outward of beam pocket F, there are paired beam attachment arms 58. As specifically illustrated in FIG. 5, paired attachment arms 58 are separated in a preselected and parallel spatial disposition so as to accommodate therebetween a snug and sliding fit with the side dimensions of beam H. When beam H is inserted interior of beam pocket F, it may be fastened thereto by bolt 60.

Immediately above beam pocket F and covering the cross-section of column A defined about outer casing 11, there is a top pocket plate 62. Plate 62, similar to pocket plate 56, extends interiorly of the column A along the inside surface of inner core so as to define the upward surface of beam pocket F.

It will be noted that in the embodiment of column A illustrated in FIG. 4, inner core 10 is omitted between top pocket plate 62 and overhead attachment plate 27. Such variation in the cross-sectional construction of column A may be made so as to build that section of the column between the beam pocket and overhead attachment plate with a vertical load bearing strength sufficient only for the anticipated loads of the finished building structure. If column A is to bear substantial vertical loads between attachment plate 27 and beam pocket F, the crosssectional construction of column A in this interval may be varied. Such variation can be made by the addition of a pilaster column illustrated in FIG. 6 or alternately a beam pocket adjoining but not interrupting the inner core 10 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 10 there is illustrated a wall section construction utilizing a pilaster column A. Regarding the use of pilaster A, beam H as inserted interior of beam pocket F may apply substantial vertical loading to the column of the wall section. To accommodate such loading it may be necessary to have a column of expanded cross-section lying below pocket F.

Pilaster column A differs from column A in that it has two difiering cross-sectional thicknesses; one such thickness existing below beam H, the other smaller crosssection extending thereabove.

The section of pilaster column A below beam H is similar to the construction of column A. Interior of the pilaster there is configured an inner core surrounded by insulation and an outer casing. The inner core and outer casing define an expanded beam cross-section between their attached foundation plate (not shown) and pilaster beam plate 64.

Pilaster beam plate 64 is shown in FIG. 6 extending transversely across the top portion of pilaster A. This plate attaches to the pilaster covering the surface thereof across the entire cross-section of the pilaster A. Extending upwardly from the rearmost portion of pilaster beam plate 64 (at the left hand side as viewed in FIG. 6) is a column member 65, which member defines a column of reduced cross-section. This reduced column 65 is fabricated so as to have only the required column thickness to accommodate the vertical loads on that section of the pilaster between attachment plate 27 and pilaster beam plate 64.

Regarding the beam pocket F defined by the pilaster A, it will be noted that pilaster beam plate 64 and reduced column section 65 thereabove define an L-shaped pocket. Ihis pocket has an open upward side, which upward side permits beam H to be installed thereon merely by lowering the beam into contact with beam plate 64.

Once beam H is resting on pocket F of pilaster column A, its attachment may be affected by beam attachment arms 67. With reference to FIG. 6 there is shown extending upwardly from pilaster beam plate 64 a beam attachment arm 67 similar to the attachment arm 58 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Although only one attachment arm 67 is illustrated in FIG. 6, it is.to be understood that plate 64 is provided with another attachment rrm (not shown) that is identical to arm 67 and mounted n parallel spaced relation thereto. As is apparent, attachnent of beam H is effected by crossboring the respective attachment arms and beam therebetween and thereafter aflixing a bolt 68.

Pilaster A has the disadvantage of requiring the column section below the beam pocket F protrude inwardly underneath the attached beam H in supporting relation. As protruding, the pilaster section below the beam breaks up what would otherwise be a smooth surface defined between column side 16 and panel side 41. Such a protruding beam section may be avoided by the beam pocket configuration illustrated in FIG. 7.

With respect to FIG. 7, a shallow beam pocket F is shown configured in a column A. Column A, similar to the fire resistant column section previously illustrated and integrally attached to a concrete panel B (not shown) has a inner core 10, an outer casing 11 with insulating material 12 therebetween. Unlike the previous column construction, both inner core 10 and outer casing 11 extend between foundation attachment plate (not shown) and overhead attachment plate 27. Outer casing 11 is configured with an aperture that in part forms a beam pocket P, which aperture accommodates the end section of beam H. A beam pocket plate 70 defines the bottom surface of this pocket. Plate 70 is fastened to inner core 10 and protrudes normally outward therefrom in a horizontal direction. Plate 70 attaches to outer casing 11 at the bottom of the aperture in outer casing 11. Similarly, at the upward end of the aperture of pocket F there is a top pocket plate 72. Plate 72, similar to plate 70, abuts inner core 10 and fastens to outer casing 11. Unlike plate 70, top pocket plate 72 terminates at outer casing 11 so as merely to define the upper extremity of the shallow beam pocket F illustrated in FIG. 7.

Affixed to the inner core 10 and extending outwardly along the sides of beam H there is a beam attachment plate 74. Similar to paired beam attachment arms 58 of FIG. 3, beam attachment plate 74 has a mating attachment plate (not shown) which attachment plate accommodates beam H on the opposing side thereof. As is apparent, once the beam H is firmly rested on beam pocket plate 70, the paired attachment plate and the beam therebetween may be cross bored and permanently attached as by bolt 75.

In passing it will be noted that the pocket F illustrated in FIG. 7 has a relatively small indentation into which the end section of beam H must fit. This small recess permits minimal maneuvering of the beam H to fit its end section interiorly of beam pocket F.

As should be apparent to the reader at this juncture, beam pocket F may be utilized to accommodate any number of beam configurations therein. In FIG. 8, a beam pocket F similar to the beam pocket illustrated in FIG. 4 is shown acting as a pier for a roof truss 76.

Truss 76 comprises a brace beam 77 and horizontal beam 78. Beams 77 and 78 are rigidly fastened one to the other by gusset plates 80. The gusset plates (one of which is shown in FIG. 8) extend along either side of beams 77 and 78 fasten the beams therebetween by means of bolts 81. At the end of brace beam 77 gusset plates 80 are joined by end plate 82 and truss support plate 83. Plates 82 and 83 form an L-section support for truss 76.

In addition to accommodating beam H, the wall section has connecting members E configured therein. These connecting members furnish a point of attachment between parallel and adjoining wall sections at their respective edges.

Regarding such connecting members E, it will be remembered that column A is fabricated with an attachment bar 19 along column edge 14. Attachment bar 19 is affixed to column A 50 as to be opposite of the integrally attached panel B for forming a convenient juncture to which interconnecting members of adjoining building structures can be attached. Similarly, panel edge 37 has disposed therein connecting plates 46 and attached embedding members 47.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, segments of two adjoining wall section 86 and 87 are illustrated adjoining one another. Wall section 86 is illustrated at that end having its integrally attached column A afiixed along the side edge thereof. Column A in turn has an attachment bar 19 afiixed thereto, which attachment bar forms an attachment surface for interconnecting member 88 (illustrated in FIG. 9). Similarly, wall section 87 is shown adjoining column A along its panel edge 37. Edge 37 is configured with pockets 85, which pockets have exposed plates 46. These exposed connecting plates form the mating surfaces onto which interconnecting member 88 can be attached so as to firmly join and connect together the respective wall section 86 and 87.

Regarding the interconnection of the adjoining wall section 86 and 87, such wall sections are first erected in a juxtaposed position with their respective column A and panel side edge 37 adjoining one another. Thereafter, interconnecting members 88 are inserted interior of pocket 85. As inserted interior of the pocket 85 interconnecting members are abutted to attachment bar 19 adjoining column A and welded thereto at weld 90 so as to afiix rigidly the interconnecting member to column A. Once interconnecting member 88 is attached to column A, it is thereafter welded to connecting plate 46 at weld 90 of adjoining wall section 87. When welded to the respective wall section 86 and 87, the interconnecting members 88 form a firm attachment between the adjoined wall sections.

It has been found, that the welding required to affix interconnecting member 88 to the attachment bar 19 of wall section 86 and the connecting bars 46 in wall section 87 often requires inordinate amount of welding time. Accordingly an alternate method of wall sections conjoinder is illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 illustrates first wall section 91 shown having a pilaster column A and integrally attached panel B and a second wall section 92 shown adjoining the pilaster column A at panel end B. Embedded interiorly of panel end B there is a single embedding member 47, which embedding member is exposed interior of a pocket 85.

Pilaster column A has configured along the longitudinal length thereof an attachment bar 19. As has been previously described, bar 19 is embedded in the exposed column edge 14 so as to have a portion of its surface immediately adjoining the spatial indentation defined by pocket 85.

Both attachment bar 19 and embedded member 47 have bored therein apertures 95 for the threadable accommodation of bolts 96 interior thereof.

Interconnection of the adjoined first and second wall sections 91 and 92 is accomplished by L-shaped interconnecting member 98. Member 98 is configured to fit over the exposed portion of embedding member 47 along the lengthened side of the L and has the shorter leg of the L extending therefrom at right angles to meet with the exposed surface of attachment bar 19. Typically, L-shaped interconnecting member 98 is placed immediately overlying the adjoined wall section at their respective connecting members E. Thereafter, the spatial separation between the wall sections is measured and the interconnecting members 98 bored so as to receive therein the threaded bolt 96. Once bored, the interconnecting members are installed and thereafter firmly bolted so as to affix the adjoined wall sections rigidly together.

When wall sections are adjoined along their respective side edges as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, there may exist between the respective adjoined wall minute spaces. These minute spaces form apertures through which the weather outside of the finished structure can penetrate. Accordingly, it will be remembered that panel edge 37 is provided with a calking groove 49, which groove provides an aperture along the panel edge for insertion of standard calking materials 100. Such calking not only insulates these junctures between the adjoined wall from the penetration of weather, but additionally form an expansion joint of variable thickness, which expansion joint will accommodate any change in wall section length produced by varying degrees of ambient temperature.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the spirit of the invention as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A prefabricated wall section comprising: a poured and cured rectangular concrete body having a bottom edge, two side edges, and a top edge; a column member contiguous to said body and aligned parallel with one of said side edges; a plurality of attachment members attaching said column member to said poured and cured concrete body; each said attachment member having a first portion integrally attached to said column and a second portion extending laterally outward of said column in the plane of said rectangular concrete body; said attachment members at said second portion initially surrounded by the material of said panel when poured and embedded within said panel when cured.

2. The wall section according to claim 1 and wherein said column and concrete body at their contiguous portions define a key and keyway; said key and keyway extending longitudinally of said column.

3. A prefabricated wall section for supporting intermediate height thereof a beam, said wall section comprising: a poured and cured rectangular concrete body having a bottom edge, two side edges, and a top edge; a preformed column having a constant load bearing cross section intermediaate its top and bottom ends; said preformed column contiguous to and aligned parallel with one of said side edges of said concrete body; pocket means within the load bearing cross section of said column intermediate the top and bottom ends thereof for defining a beam pocket whereby a beam can be supported by said column intermediate its top and bottom ends; means effecting integral poured and cured attachment between said column member and said panel.

4. A wall section according to claim 3 and wherein said means for effecting integral poured and cured attachment includes a plurality of attachment members, said attachment members integrally attached to said column at one end and extending laterally therefrom into said poured and cured concrete body; said attachment members surrounded by said rectangular concrete body when poured and embedded therein when said concrete body is cured.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,714,949 5/ 1929 Collier et al. 52-495 2,137,767 11/1938 Betcone 52495 2,590,123 3/1952 Rapp 52-283 3,394,523 7/1968 Sackett 52-624 FOREIGN PATENTS 17,972 8/1906 Great Britain. 558,686 5/1923 France. 537,187 6/1941 France.

569,636 6/ 1945 Great Britain.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner J. L. RIDGILL, IR., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 52283, 495, 624 

